As summer starts and July gets closer and closer, teams are getting a better idea of who they are and what they are trying to accomplish for the season. For the Giants, this means contending as one of the best in the league and trying to catch the team that has so far been the very best in the game, the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers. Sitting pretty with a 42-25 record, it might take more than the patented “just enough” offense to catch the Bums and capture the division.
Fortunately, the Giants are an improving team and Pablo Sandoval’s recent return should continue to pay dividends as he inches closer and closer to a full recovery. The Panda’s addition, however important, is only one of several key differences that will shape the team as we draw closer to trade season. Without further ado, here are the five biggest differences to the club that you should expect by the end of June.